He loves coffee, is an avid drinker of tea of all hues
and flavours (the Pathan’s chenak among his favourites),
he has a passion for good music and a head brimming with
ideas. Faakhir comes across as a down-to-earth young man
with feet solidly on the ground – no airs, no hang-ups.
Meeting him in person was a refreshing experience. On the
day of our rendezvous, fate dealt an unexpected hand that
enabled me to also get an insight into Faakhir, the man
(as opposed to Faakhir, the artist). One of his associates
was involved in an accident and had to be hospitalized -
Faakhir was taking care of arrangements at the hospital.
A visibly worried-looking Faakhir came over to the Marriot,
the venue of our meeting, picked me up, explained the situation
and took me along to the hospital as he still had to wrap
up a few things, apologizing for the interview going awry.
Providence had allowed me a first-hand glimpse into this
very humane side of the artist – sensitive, kind and considerate.
It was heartening that the heady effects of fame and fortune,
at a youngish age, have not tainted him.
Before parting, we had coffee in Zamzama and chatted. He
spoke about a number of issues, ranging from the local music
industry to politics, from movies to his concerts, amongst
other things. He believes that pop music has a great future
in Pakistan and as more avenues open up, only good can come
out of it.
Faakhir is riding the crest of success, he has been for
some time now, but with his head in the right place, he
has not let this overwhelm him. His latest album Mantra
promises to be yet another chart-buster. He is one of
the most sought-after musicians today, both within and outside
Pakistan - having had occasion to meet him and talk to him
at length, one is not at all surprised.
- What made your choose Music as a profession in the first
place? Do you have any regrets in not following a professional
career as an Electrical Engineer?
A. None at all. I’d always been interested in music and I used to get together
with my friends and practice…then in my university days
we started getting shows…one thing led to another and Awaz
was formed.
- What is your recipe for churning out hit numbers time
and again? Dil Na Lage (best national song 2000), numbers
from Aatish, Sab to Soniyeh, etc.
A. Honestly I think God has been kind and
appreciated all the hard work I put in. I'm very happy with
the response my albums have received....it’s been terrific!!!
- What are you more happy doing, Music videos or albums?
A. Albums. I'm a composer and enjoy working on my albums more
than music videos because I feel that I don’t act very well.
- In 1998 Awaz sort of disintegrated, what was the reason?
Any regrets?
A. I felt it was time to move on and start my solo
career.
- Being in a band would allow floating ideas, discussion,
advise, critique, sharing of problems, etc, something
not possible as a soloist. Comments?
A. I agree. But being
a solo artist gives me the opportunity to experiment and
explore my creative side which wouldn’t really have been
possible in a band as a consensus has to be reached regarding
the direction in which the band wants to move.
- You were around in 1997 when the government clamped
a ban on music shows and long-haired male pop singers
on PTV. What were your feelings? Do you think the government
(or any other entity) has the right to be the custodians
of the nation’s morality?
A. No, I don’t agree with that. I believe in freedom
of speech and expression. If somebody doesn’t like the kind
of music or videos they see on TV they have the option to
not watch.
- Women are conspicuous by their absence from Pakistan’s
pop scene - only two really made it big, Nazia Hassan
and Hadiqa Kiyani (others simply disappeared). Why is
this so?
A. Nazia Hassan and
Hadiqa Kiyani were/are two exceptionally talented people.
Up till now there have been no other female singers
of the same caliber.
- How do you feel has Corporate Sponsorship affected our
music industry? Do you feel this provides for an uneven
playing field for those not blessed by such sponsorship?
A. Sponsors have been
supportive of our music. They played the role of a record
label and made our videos, only when sponsors over do
branding that it is a loss for the artist and the sponsor,
because no one wants to see a 5 min commercial. Luckily,
now the record labels are realizing the importance of videos
and are investing in them so I guess with or without a sponsor
you can still afford videos.
- You were also chosen by RADO for endorsement XERAMO,
their new line of watches in Pakistan. How did this come
about and how was the experience?
A. Rado was looking
for a brand ambassador for their product and I fit the profile.
They approached me for the endorsement and I was more than
happy to do it.
- Some say that pop music in Pakistan is a “flash-in-the-pan”
industry – your views?
A. No way. Its high time people treat it like a
full fledged industry. Half the channels are running on
the software we provide; music industry is the biggest in
the entertainment field.
- Is pop music contributing in any positive manner in
Pakistan?
A. Absolutely. I can’t
think of any negative effect that it has caused.
- Your first album, Aatish was a phenomenal success, selling
over 2 million copies. What made you go out and make Aatish
in the first place?
A. I felt it was time
to move on and to tell you the
truth I wasn’t sure what people’s reaction would be to my
solo album…I could never have imagined that I’d gain so
much success with my first solo album…it was a complete
surprise.
- How has the advent of Music Channels, ARY Digital,
Indus Music, etc affected the music industry in Pakistan?
A. There are a lot more opportunities now…Pakistani
music channels have helped a lot. I have always believed
Pakistani artists have terrific potential. Some of them
are making great music.
- The invasion of satellite and cable TV has brought Indian
(and other) music into our lives. How would you compare
Indian and Pakistani pop music?
A. India has a huge
film industry and they make great music for their movies.
Pakistani pop music has caught up very fast...not in the
sheer volume of music produced but most definitely in quality...I
feel it’s just as good.
- Any favourite singers – Pakistani, Indian, others? Have
you drawn inspiration from anyone?
A. I have looked up
to Nusrat Fateh Ali, Mehdi Hassan.
- Everyone has ups and downs – that is part of life. As
an artist, how do you react to failure?
A. Failure is always
disappointing. The trick is turning it to your advantage
in a way that it makes you want to do better and work harder.
- It is said that you set the stage on fire as a live
performer with your energy and enthusiasm. While everyone’s
hearts race as they watch you perform, what are your feelings
as thousands of fans cheer you on?
A. Initially during my first few solo performances
I was quite anxious...but now I am very confident and at
ease. It’s a major adrenalin rush to have so many fans cheering
for you.
- There is a lot of miming when Asian artists perform
“live” on stage. Why is this so?
A. Performing on CD and lip syncing is cheaper for
the organizers of the show. For a live performance it costs
more because then you have the added expense of having your
band travel with you, band's fee, accommodation etc. Playing
on CD however just doesn’t give the same meaning to the
songs and doesn’t do them justice. If people want an artist
to come and perform on CD they might as well hear the CD.
I only perform live except for TV recordings.
- Have you ever considered playback singing for the film
industry? What about composing for films?
A. I was approached with a couple of offers to do play back
singing from Bombay but at this point I am more keen on
composing my own songs. In the future, not just compose
but do a direct and produce music for a movie.
- Tell us something about your latest album, Mantra?
How is it different from your previous album?
A. The album contains 12 tracks. I have
experimented a lot in this album; each song carries a different
mood. I have done an 8 1/2min musical which is called mantra…
this was done for the first time in Pakistan. The
most interesting part of this album is the way our own eastern
scales such as bilwal thaath, pahari, darbari etc are fused/blended
with east European, Mediterranean and bluesy scales in a
very simple and subtle way. The choice of instruments is
very rich, classy yet extremely contemporary wind instruments,
saxophones and brass section eastern and western string
instrument, rhythm section, violin and viola orchestras
are all recorded live and a treat to the ear. Arrangements
are least predictable, the production is slick and I feel
the melodies are soulful.
- How much do visuals help in the success of a song? Other
than the singer, what is more important - lyrics, music
or visuals?
A. I believe
having good videos is important. It adds a visual element
to the song and helps the viewers identify more with the
song thus making it more popular. But at the end of the
day it is the song and the melody that determines its success.
- What is music to you?
A. Something that moves you deep inside, touches you on a level
that nothing else ever does - it relaxes you.
- Do you have any hobbies/pastimes that you turn to, when
(and if) you need to relax or have free time?
A. Listening
to music, traveling, spending a day at the beach hut with
my wife.
- Of all the places that you have performed, which do
you consider to be the most memorable?
A. I have performed nearly all over the world so its difficult
to say. I have fond memories of almost everywhere I have
performed. But I think its performing in Pakistan that I
enjoy the most.
- Your feelings on love?
A. I am
very lucky to be blessed with a loving wife who I love just
as much. That’s a rare thing and not many people are lucky
enough to experience that.
- The highest compliment ever received by you?
A. “People
like you make us Pakistanis proud.”
- Do you have any regrets in life so far?
A. Al-Hamdo Lillah, none so far.
- What is the one thing you would never leave home without?
A. My cell phone and organizer.
- Do you feel that the media, especially the print media,
is doing enough to promote pop music in Pakistan?
A. Yes
I do. The print media is doing a lot to promote pop music
but I feel that the electronic media has also helped tremendously.
- How would you define your relations with the media,
electronic and print?
A. Very
good. I have received terrific reviews from the media.
- Would you define yourself as a perfectionist, or…..?
A. Definitely
a perfectionist. I personally have to be satisfied that
I have done everything to the best of my abilities.
- Your performance with Aamir Khan, “Pehla Nasha, Pehla
Pyar” during the fund raiser for Imran Khan’s cancer
hospital was a smashing hit. How was this experience for
you?
A. It was a wonderful experience. I felt honored to be a part
of the fund raising campaign.
- Would you say there are too many people jumping on the
music bandwagon in Pakistan?
A. No I wouldn’t. Initially there were very few music bands in
Pakistan but with the advent of more music channels there
are far more opportunities now. I think Pakistani artists
have terrific potential and like I said, some of them are
making great music.
- As a composer, what in your views makes for a truly
good composer?
A. Compositions come naturally to me. I am a self taught musician
and have been doing this since the age of 12. I don’t think
this is something you can learn, though if you have the
talent you can polish it.
- Any words of wisdom for hopefuls aspiring to get into
the music industry?
A. There are a lot of opportunities for musicians these days...and
the Pakistani music channels have made things easier in
the way of providing a platform. It is becoming a
full fledged industry ....work hard and you will succeed.
- In what direction do you see pop music heading in the
future?
A. I see it evolving into a much bigger industry...with world
class studios and even better quality music and videos.
- You recently returned from the Asian Bollywood Awards
in Dubai. How did it go for you?
A.
It was an experience to remember
- Your plans/projects for the future?
A. To set up a music studio of international
standards for our own artists so that they don’t have to
go aboard to work
